Pre-med students should meet with the pre-health advisor at least once every semester and ask to be added to the pre-med email distribution list.

"Pre-Med" is not a major; it is a series of coursework that satisfies med school prerequisites and prepares you for success on the MCAT and as a medical student.

The Pre-Health Advisor serves as a supplemental advisor to the students' primary (major/degree) advisor, and assists students by offering guidance in selecting appropriate courses, connecting with resources both on and off campus, ensuring that they are on track with their career goals, and addressing questions and concerns.

Choose a major that you enjoy and that provides a good “back-up plan” and career options in case you change your mind about medicine. Common majors include biology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, exercise science, psychology, nutrition, etc.

Carefully check admission requirements at med schools of most interest and take the required coursework.

The recently revised MCAT includes a section on “psychological, social, and biochemical foundations of behavior.” Recommended coursework for the MCAT 2015 includes: Intro Sociology, Intro Psychology, General Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Biochemistry.

Be aware that some med schools do not accept AP credit for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English and may require college-level credits. You have the choice to retake the courses at the UI or to take upper-level courses in those subject areas.

As a general rule, plan to take 15-18 credits each semester.

Take your pre-med courses early and evaluate whether medicine is right for you—test your interest and your aptitude. Be sure to learn and remember your coursework in preparation for the MCAT.

Get significant shadowing and clinical experience. Find out firsthand what the profession is like, decide if it is right for you, explore different areas of the medical field and in different settings, and be sure to meet clinical experience requirements of your preferred schools. Maintain a formal work, volunteer, and shadowing log (Professional Development Activities Log (Word).

FYI, it’s OK to skip a year or two between graduating and enrolling in med school. The average age of med school matriculates is 24. Consider the Peace Corps, Teach for America, AmeriCorps or other health experiences.